Kaelyn is brave and strong! She was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma in the fall of 2023. Before diagnosis, she had stomach pain that would not go away. She has had chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and shots twice a day. We take things a day at a time and try to enjoy good moments.Â
Hope session by Fourteen Grove Foto | Facebook | Instagram
Iker is a fun little guy, always happy and joyful!
Iker was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma in November of 2022. He went to the doctor on November 18 and his biopsy came back on December 7, but based on other labs the doctors already figured is was cancer.
Prior to being diagnosed, his belly had gotten huge out of nowhere and he had started to complain about his tummy hurting at night time.
Iker’s treatments have included chemotherapy and surgery. He has been through a lot but having his mom with him has brought him comfort.
Hope Session by Birch Lane Photography | Facebook | Instagram
Mario (Matias) is a very calm baby. He loves music and Mrs.Rachel.
Mario is a twin with a syndrome called Denys-Drash. He was at risk for developing Wilms Tumor but had a bilateral nephrectomy. He has end-stage renal failure and during treatment for that, was putting out a milky discharge in his dialysis bag. His nephrologist ordered an abdominal ultrasound and found tumors on January 13, 2023. He was then diagnosed with stage 3 Hepatoblastoma. Prior to his diagnosis, he had been much more tired and extra fussy.
He has had 4 rounds of chemotherapy along with all of his other treatments. Mario was already medically complex so this has only added to his troubles.
For us emotionally, this has all been very heartbreaking.
Hope Session by Crystal Freemon Photography | Facebook | Instagram
Tooa is a very calm, happy baby. She loves Cocomelon and her sisters.
Tooa was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma on October 20th of 2022. Prior to her diagnosis, she had a swollen abdomen and changes to her breathing.
She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Hope Session by Brittany Blake Photography
Aiden is a happy kid, lots of things can make him laugh; tickling, running, high fives, and singing. He loves baby shark and wheels on the bus songs.
Aiden was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma in 2021 when he was just 10 months old. We found out by accident and he never showed symptoms. Thinking back, his appetite was lower that week and his stomach was kind of big, but he used to eat a lot so we never thought that he had a tumor in his stomach.
Aiden has had 6 rounds of chemotherapy in total and was in treatment for about 8 months. He got a fever after every round and always ended up being admitted to the hospital. He had a liver resection after 4 rounds of chemo, we were in the hospital for 9 days after the surgery. However, he had a couple of wound infections that caused fevers which also resulted in hospital admissions. We feel like there were endless hospital days and got stressed every time he had a fever. Every time Aiden was admitted to the hospital, we struggled with time management at work and with our family as we have a 7-year-old to take care of as well.
Aiden has a few limitations, mostly due to the chemo. He lost his appetite and didn’t want to take anything by mouth. We ended up needing to put in an NG tube to administer formula, however, the NG tube dressing caused a skin reaction all over his face.
My husband works night shifts so I am very stressed during the day. I need to work and am always worried about Aiden and what we would need to do if there is another emergency. As Aiden got admitted to the hospital all the time. We are struggling with stress from cancer and how to best take care of the kids at this challenging time.
Hope Session by Shalimar B Photography | Instagram | Facebook
Hiro is introspective and observant, sweet and kind, he is goofy, and loves to laugh and communicate to the best of his abilities. He is curious about anything and everything, and he is turning a year old in October. Even through the worst, he chooses joy and happiness each day. He makes the best of his situation. When he doesn’t feel good he still finds ways to play and laugh. His smile warms the heart of all who encounter it and his personality woos the soul.
Hiro was diagnosed with intermediate-risk hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer, in March of 2022. He was just 4 months old. I took Hiro to the ER on March 1st for a skin infection. It was an awesome nurse who found the hardness on his abdomen to be odd and who informed the doctors. After they ran tests they found a massive tumor on his liver. The skin infection was not related at all.
Hiro has been through 6 rounds of chemo, 3 major surgeries, and endless tests/scans/bloodwork. It has been so difficult on us mentally, financially, physically, etc. The chemo caused hearing loss and he is delayed in many areas due to everything his little body has been through.
Everything has happened so fast. Tuesday, March 1st I took him to the ER, and by Saturday the 5th he was starting his first round of chemo. We went through a lot of trauma quickly these past 6 months. I would say it has changed us, in many ways. Our daily life looks completely different not to mention the physical, emotional, and mental toll it has taken on us.
We are in a bit of limbo when it comes to Hiro’s situation. His last scans showed at least three new tumors on his liver. We are not sure if they are active or not. We have scans at the end of the month to see if they have grown or not. If they haven’t, then we keep hoping that they don’t. If they do, then it will be a biopsy and the potential for more hard times.
Hope Session by Cynthia Dawson Photography | Facebook | Instagram